Folkestone Herald 29 November 1991.

Advertising Feature.

The "Happy Frenchman" pub in Folkestone’s Christchurch Road is being totally transformed. Regulars will not recognise their old haunt when the extensive refurbishment of the building is completed next month.

The new pub will be renamed The West End and will feature a stylish upstairs bar, a fabulous disco room, a dazzling array of new lights and a top quality restaurant.

Licensee Ron Paton, who has been at the Happy Frenchman for five years, said the exciting new place-to-be was due to open on November 4. He added “There will be about 150 lights and no windows downstairs. The effect will be incredible”.

The new gallery bar has been created by raising the roof and it should provide a wonderful extra dimension to The West End. The downstairs bar will be decorated in a low-key way to make the most of the fabulous new lights. The town’s fashionable young people are certain to make the new pub a key part of their Friday and Saturday nights and it will certainly bring a touch of glamour to Folkestone’s town centre.

The Happy Frenchman was always a lively place to go but The West End is sure to be even more popular – two floors of fun. A large range of delicious food will be available there in the evening for the first time so pub-goers will not have to leave in search of a bite to eat. Previously the restaurant had only served customers during the day.

Mr. Paton and his wife Janice want to make The West End one of the liveliest pubs in Shepway, and they are making sure everything is top quality before the grand opening next month. Builders are working flat-out ready for the big day, which will be an occasion not to be missed. All the discerning socialites of Shepway are sure to be there.

Folkestone Herald 12 August 1993.

Local News.

In a last-ditch attempt to keep a town centre pub open the landlady is putting on live music. Lynne Weddell has run the West End pub – once the Happy Frenchman – at Christchurch Road, Folkestone, since May this year. But she thinks changes made before she came may still be keeping people away. She said “The previous people turned it into a night club. They breeze-blocked up and blacked all the windows and only opened in the evening. But people said it was dark and dingy. Before that, when it was the Happy Frenchman, it used to be an ordinary pub. We would like to get it back to what it was”. Now bar snacks are on sale again and the windows let in light. First band to perform, on August 14, will be Dover rock group Die Laughing. Mrs. Weddell said “I’ve thought of putting a sign outside “Customers required. No experience necessary.”, but I hope the music and making the place a proper pub again will do the trick”.

Note: It reverted to being the "Happy Frenchman" on 17th September.